How is the Mesmer build diversity? Are the only 1-2 cookie cutter viable builds, or is it like other classes (Engineer for example, the other class that I plan to roll) that there are lots of viable builds?

From what I read in the forum here, pretty much all weapons and utility skills are viable, yes? And most traits, while maybe not too much synergetic, look viable too?

I ask because I still can't decide between rolling an Engineer or Mesmer first, and above all else I value diversity. Always having to play the same build / weapons / skills gets boring fast, so I want a class that's playstyle I can change up from time to time (which Engineer of course does with the weapon kits, and lots of viable trait builds).

I had an absolute blast playing hot join pvp with a mesmer on tuesday, but that was the first time I really played one so I don't know if that experience of fun will hold up.#

TONS of build options, TONS. there is a lot of hidden synergy in the trait trees, just waiting for you to discover them. weapons are great, i find myself staying away from the norm with sword/sword and sceptor/pistol for my short rage/long range but plenty of workable options for you to try. specs can be anything. i have gone from boon/tank/support spec to sneaky stack confusion spec and everythign inbetween.

There are many many builds... there are some really cool synergies but even those dont demand all your points. Its probably one of the most free classes that way. Usually I combine either power or crit build with some kind of defense build. Healing and support builds are probably poorest of the classes along with thieves but otherwise there is a lot you can do.

One of the hardest problems with the Mesmer class is to find the best build for you, because there are so many builds for so many different purposes, and it is difficult to get anywhere near the concept of "best".

Yeah there are a ton of different builds, but I'm starting to find I'm continuously taking 10 in Inspiration (Vit/Healing) in any of my builds, for Mender's Purity (remove 1 condition when you heal). It always seems to drop the large bleed stacks when I need it to. With Mirror, a 15-second-CD condition removal with heal just seems too good to pass up.

I play a tank build quite similar to yourself - so far i've never been defeated 1v1 in sPvP and even win majority 2v1s and some 3v1s.
The one thing i love most about mesmer is deception and playing this style allows me to switch up between standing and trading with the enemy and blinking/stealthing dropping agro.

Originally I was stacking confusion however with the defences in sPvP it wasnt doing as much damage as it does in WvW (low level WvW confusion build is too good to pass up). Still torn between the torch or pistol at the moment for OH; torch gives more utility and an extra escape mechanism whereas the pistol as more direct damage and the addition of a stun/interrupt.